Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 48

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th > Part 48

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Mr. Frazer's work with us is better told by its visible results, in the enlarging of the Parish and many progressive ideas introduced. Through the succeeding years of his ministry, our Church History has accumulated very rap- idly. Mr. Frazer has been very intimately identified with it all, watchful, energetic. and enthusiastic.

ASSISTANT RECTORS.

At different times during Mr. Avery's min- istry, he had as assistants the Reverends H. L. Gamble. C. W. Hollister, Douglas I. Hobbs, and Edwin S. Hoffman.

For a short time Mr. Claiborne had as As- sistant Rector the Rev. Henry J. Beagen, and Mr. Frazer had for a brief period Rev. C. Gaylord. Most of these men also assisted in the work at Boardman, which Parish for a time was without a Rector.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ST. COLUMBA'S CHURCH.

The history of the Catholic Church in Youngstown begins as early as 1826 when missionary priests began to visit the scattered Catholic families in the vicinity. Among the first of these was Father Thomas Martin, who came in that year from the Dominican con- vent at Somerset, Perry county. His mission- ary duties brought him to the Catholic settle- ment at Dungannon, Columbiana county, whence he extended his labors to Youngstown. Soon after he made a second visit and after that at long intervals, between 1830 and 1840, visits were made by the Revs. John H. Mc- Grady, V. De Raymacher, A. Fahey, N. D. Young. and E. P. Montgomery. The Very Rev. E. T. Collins of Cincinnati, came once in 1834; the Rev. James Conlon of Steubenville, once or twice in 1835. For many years these priests said Mass in private houses, principally in the homes of Daniel Sheehy, William Woods and Neal Campbell-pioneers of Ca- thelicity in the Mahoning Valley. From 1840 to 1847 Youngstown was regularly attended as a station by the Rev. James Conlon, resi- dent pastor of Dungannon.

The number of Catholics was increased soon after 1835 by the laborers on the canal. In 1843 James Mcore and his family settled here, and about the same time some members of the Kessiker family became converts to the Church, so that the first nucleus of a congre- gation may be said to have been found about

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that time. Between 1847 and 1858 Youngs- town was visited by the Revs. M. Howard, of Cleveland, until January, 1848; James Moran, of Dungannon, 1848-49; J. Ringele, C. PP. S., of Randolph, 1850-51 ; F. McGann, of St. Vin- cents, Akron, 1851-52; William O'Connor, of Dungannon, 1853 ; F. Stroker, of Summitville, 1853-54; P. Flinn, of Dungannon, 1855-56; and M. Prendergast, of Summitville, 1856-58. In July, 1858, the Rev. William O'Connor was appointed the first resident pastor of Youngs- town.

The small frame church then in use was commenced by Father McGann in 1851, but owing to the poverty of the few Catholics then in Youngstown, it was not brought to comple- tion until 1853. It stood at the corner of Wood and Hazel streets.

From Youngstown Father O'Connor also attended a number of missions and stations, and by his zeal and earnestness endeared him- self to all who were under his pastoral care. He resigned his pastorate in 1861 and was succeeded by Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, who was pastor of St. Columba's Parish from May, 1861, until January, 1871.

The congregation had outgrown its little frame church some years before this, and Fa- ther O'Callaghan was therefore obliged to pro- vide better Church accommodations. He at once began to raise funds for the erection of a new edifice, taking the site of the old Church for that of the new one. The structure was of brick, 135 feet in length by 50 feet in width, and with a belfry tower 104 feet high. It was first used in the summer of 1864, before its interior had been finished. Whatever the cost, it required much generous giving on the part of the laity and prudent management on the part of the pastor to defray the cost of such a structure in those days. Father O'Callaghan lived in a rented house for some years. He afterwards bought a lot on West Wood street, nearly opposite the Church, and moved on it the old frame Church which he fitted up as his residence.

The Parish School was established in 1860 by Father O'Connor. Lay teachers were em- ployed until 1868, when they were superseded

by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary. From June, 1871, until 1876 lay teachers were again employed. In September, 1864, the school was transferred from the old frame building, erected by Father O'Connor, to the basement of the newly erected Church. But with the in- crease in the size of the Parish ampler quar- ters for school purposes became necessary. Father O'Callaghan therefore bought a large lot at the corner of W. Rayen avenue and Elm street and began the erection of the present three-story brick school. In 1870 he was absent for some months on a visit to Rome, his place being filled for a part of the time by Rev. E. J. Murphy. On his return he resumed his pastoral charge in which he continued until August, 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Gibbons, who completed the school. With its furnishings it cost about $30,000.

In August, 1872, Father Gibbons was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. H. Brown. Father Brown in 1876 put the school in charge of the Ursu- line Sisters and they have conducted it ever since. In July, 1877, Father Brown resigned on account of ill health and his death occurred in the following year. The Rev. Edward Mears succeeded him as pastor of St. Colum- ba's Church in July, 1877. He applied him- self to pay off the large debt of $40,000 which burdened the Parish, and in doing so was most generously supported by his parishioners. This debt was entirely cancelled by the close of the year 1881.

The large increase of population in Youngstown which had continued since its re- covery from the financial panic of 1871 had by this time made the formation of a new parish a necessity. Accordingly with Bishop Gilmour's approval the Immaculate Concep- tion Parish was organized in 1882. St. Co- lumba's Parish paid for the Church lot besides giving $5,000 towards paying for the erection of the new Church.

In 1884, in accordance, with a decree of the Diocesan Synod and also because St. Colum- ba's Parish cemetery had become nearly filled with interments, Father Mears purchased for $6,000 twenty acres of land for a "Union Cem- etery" for the use of all the Parishes. Six

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years later he purchased for $1,700 an adjoin- ing tract of ten acres. This land was subse- quently graded, put in proper shape and named Calvary Cemetery. In May, 1886, was begun the foundation of the present substantial brick rectory, which was campleted in January, 1887 at a cost of $12,000.

In order to obviate the danger to the chil- dren attending school from the South Side in crossing the growing network of railroad tracks, it was resolved to established a school in that part of the city. Father Mears there- fore, in the spring of 1887, purchased four lots at a cost of $2,600 and in September of the fol- lowing year a commodious six-room frame school costing $3,000 was ready for occupancy.

In July, 1887, a lot adjoining the pastoral residence at the corner of Wood and Elm streets was bought for $6,000 as a site for the future Church. After paying off existing debts the new Church was commenced in April, 1893. Soon after, owing to the effects of the financial panic and the consequent closing of mills and the stagnation of other local indus- tries, work had to be stopped; but not until the walls were raised high enough to make a very commodious hall of the basement, a temporary roof being also constructed. This hall was used for six years, many of the Church entertainments being held therein, and it was also the source of much revenue to the Church rentals.

In May, 1900, the building of the new Church was resumed. The corner stone was laid by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on Sunday July 1, 1900. When completed the total cost was about $100,000. This structure which is at present easily the most imposing ornament of the city is in Gothic style of architecture. It is 75 feet wide by 175 feet long, and is one of the largest and handsomest Churches in the diocese of Cleveland. The Parish is also one of the largest in the diocese, now numbering about 1000 families, and is noted for its gen- erous response to all calls of religion and char- ity. Its long history has never been marred by discord, or want of respect for those charged with its spiritual or temporal interests. In

January, St. Columba's Parish was made a rectorate and its pastor was appointed its first irremovable rector, both well merited distinc- tions.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH.

The Parish of the Immaculate Conception which has been already casually referred to was organized in July, 1882, by the Rev. W. J. Manning, who erected the first Parish build- ing. This was a combination School and Church built on lots bought on Oak street by Rev. E. Mears in March, 1881. The two-story frame building, 40 by 100 feet, was com- menced in August, 1882, and was ready for use early in December. The Parish School was opened on the first floor in February, 1883, being in charge of three Ursuline Sisters and a lay teacher.

Both church and school were soon found inadequate to the rapid increase in the growth of the parish, and Father Manning therefore bought two additional lots on Oak street op- posite those secured in 1881, the purchase price being $2,600. The present brick church commenced in the fall of 1887 was brought to completion in the Spring of 1891, although used for the first time on Christmas, 1890. It was dedicated on May 10, 1891, by Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. M. Boff, then administrator of the diocese. The church cost about $40,000, and is of Gothic architecture, its length being 140 feet and its width 60 feet. A part of the large basement is used for a primary school and part for society rooms. The handsome and com- modious pastoral residence, was commenced by Father Manning in 1891 and was ready for occupancy in December of the following year.

Father Manning's health gave way under the care and strain of his arduous pastoral duties and he died on July 2, 1899. His loss was deeply felt by his parishioners whose love and respect he had won in a high degree. The Rev. D. B. Crotty, who had been sent to assist him in June, 1898, took temporary charge of the parish until the appointment in August of the Rev. M. P. Kinkead, the present pastor.

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ST. ANNE'S CHURCH.

Up to 1869 the Catholics residing in the vicinity of Brier Hill were identified with St. Columba's Parish, but in September of that year Bishop Rappe authorized the formation at Brier Hill of a separate congregation, ap- pointing Rev. E. J. Murphy as the first resi- dent pastor.

Purchasing a lot on Federal street for $1,000, Father Murphy bought for the sum of $700 a frame building which had been formerly used as a store. This building he moved onto a lot and had it fitted up as a temporary place of worship and as a school. In September, 1870, he bought on the same street, for $1,550, an additional lot, the frame house on which he made his residence. He was succeeded in October, 1870, by Rev. Patrick McCaffrey, who in the following year built the first church, a plain frame structure 45 by 65 feet, at a cost of about $3,000. Father McCaffrey was soon obliged to resign his charge on account of ill health. He was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Henry, who, notwithstanding the financial depression following the great panic of 1873, reduced the debt contracted by his predecessor. Father Henry was succeeded in July, 1876, by Rev. Francis McGavern who added by improve- ments to the value of the church property. He died in August, 1887, and St. Anne's Congre- gation was attended dfrom Hubbard until the following December, when the present incum- bent, Rev. J. P. Barry, received his appoint- ment as pastor. In 1888 Father Barry built a frame parish house at an expense of about $2,300. He also remodeled and enlarged the frame school and placed it in charge of the Ursuline Sisters. It having been found that the church was situated too far away from the majority of the parishioners, Father Barry ob- tained permission in 1892 to secure another and better location ; and in March of that year he purchased four lots with a frontage of 200 feet on Federal street and 142 feet on Jeffer- son street. In April, 1893, the foundation of the present church on the new site was com- menced. Owing, however, to lack of means due to the financial panic of 1893, the build-

ing progressed but slowly. The basement was used for the first time on April 25, 1897. The church was finally completed at a cost of about $40,000. It is a brick structure, trimmed with sandstone, with two towers, in keeping with the Norman style of architecture.

In 1898 Father Barry built near the church a two-story school and a neat pastoral resi- dence, both frame buildings, the former cost- ing $2,400 and the latter $3,500. The old church and lot on which it stands were sold in 1898 to the Italians who were organized in that year under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1898 the balance of the former property was also sold, the proceeds from both sales amounting to nearly $6,000. The parish now numbers over 225 families, all dependent on the iron industry of Youngstown

ST. ANTHONY'S (ITALIAN ) CHURCH.

Prior to 1898 the Italians in Youngstown attended divine service at St. Anne's and St. Columba's churches. They were occasionally visited by Rev. P. Capitani of St. Anthony's Church, Cleveland, and by other priests of their own nationality. In May, 1898, Rev. Anthony Petillo was appointed their resident pastor. In June of that year he bought for the sum of $2,500 the former church of St. Anne's Parish, in which he made various improvements. The present pastor is the Rev. Charles Doria.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.

The Catholic Germans of Youngstown were identified with St. Columba's Parish until March, 1870, when Bishop Rappe appointed Rev. Peter Becker as their first pastor. They then numbered about 50 families. Father Becker secured for $3.500 the lot. 90 by 150 feet, at the corner of Wick and West Rayen avenues, a most desirable location. The frame house on the lot was made the pastoral resi- dence. At an expense of about $3,000 Father Becker built a small brick church on the rear end of the lot facing West Rayen avenue, which was dedicated to St. Joseph, in the sum- mer of 1870. Father Becker was succeeded in

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN

HELEN CHAPEL, YOUNGSTOWN

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN

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the pastorate of St. Joseph's by the Rev. H. D. Best, who, however, only remained until May of the following year, when St. Joseph's was attended from Hubbard. Then for a short time until April, 1873, the Rev. C. Barbier was resident pastor, after which St. Joseph's was again made a mission of Hubbard, with Rev. T. T. Shaffield in charge. In July, 1873. the Rev. Joseph Eyler was appointed resident pastor, in which position he labored in spite of ill health until he resigned his pastorate in May, 1881, when St. Joseph's for a few weeks again became a mission of Hubbard, with Rev. J. Klute as attending priest.

The Rev. Charles Seltzer was the next resi- dent pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, from June, 1881, to December, 1882. He took up the pro- ject of building a new and much larger church, whuch by this time was greatly needed, and for which a subscription of $2,000 had already been raised by Father Eyler. The corner stone of the new church was laid by Bishop Gilmour on September 4, 1881. The church was ready for use in September, 1882, although its in- terior was far from being complete. The Rev. M. Becker, who succeeded Father Seltzer in December, 1882, had the church plastered and furnished with stained glass windows. His pastorate ended in August, 1883, when the present incumbent, the Rev. John Klute, was given pastoral charge of St. Joseph's Parish.

Father Klute at once set to work to finish the interior of the church and to supply it with the necessary furnishings. This task was grad- ually but finally accomplished and the building was dedicated by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, July 20, 1884, in the presence of a large con- course of people. It had cost about $30,000, exclusive of its furnishings and had a debt on it of less than $5,000 when it was dedicated- a result alike creditable to the eighty families composing the parish and the several pastors who had been concerned in it. The church, which is of Gothic architecture, is built of brick with stone trimmings. It has a frontage of 56 feet on Wick avenue and a depth of 116 feet on West Rayen avenue ; the height of the spire is 171 feet.

"The Parochial school was established by

Father Becker in 1870. In 1883 the first church was remodeled to serve as a temporary school. A large lot 75. by 175 feet was bought in June, 1890 for a school site at a cost of $8,500. The two-story frame house on the lot was fitted up for school purposes; its four large class rooms were ready for use in September of that year, and placed in charge of two Ursuline Sisters and two lay teachers. The former school building was then changed into a parish hall, which purpose it served for some years. In 1893 the present brick school was erected on the site bought in 1900, as above mentioned. It is a three-story building, has four well ven- tilated cheery class rooms, a fine parish hall on the third floor, and all the appliances and conveniences found in a modern school." Its cost was $15,000. Four Ursuline Sisters are now engaged as teachers and the school has a large attendance.

The fine pastoral residence adjoining the school lot was built by Father Klute in July, 1900, for $10,000, the former residence being both inadequate and unsanitary. St. Joseph's congregation now numbers about two hun- dred families.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH.

The parish of Haselton was formed by Bishop Gilmour in October, 1888, at the re- quest of Catholics in that vicinity who found it difficult to attend Mass on account of their distance from the nearest church and the al- most impassible condition of the roads at cer- tain times of the year. Two lots, at the corner of Montgomery (now Wilson avenue) and Walnut streets, were purchased by the Rev. W. J. Manning at a cost of $1,500. In October. 1888, the Rev. George W. Leeming was ap- pointed as pastor. The first services were held in a class room in the village public school. The site purchased in 1887 being found un- suitable. Father Leeming with Bishop Gil- mour's consent bought, at a cost of $1.500, a tract of land fronting on Wilson avenue. Here the present frame church was erected and used in its unfinished state for the first time on Christmas morning, 1888. In the follow-

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ing January it was completed with accommo- dations for 300 people. The church cost about $4,000. The pastoral residence was added during the same year at a cost of $3,000. In 1892 Father Leeming bought the Haselton public school, a frame building consisting of three class rooms and a large hall, 32 by 80 feet, with a fine basement of the same dimen- sions. The structure will serve the purpose of a school admirably when that necessary ad- junct to the future welfare of the parish is once established. In the years 1899 and 1900 a number of improvements were made in the property and the church was removed from its first location sixty feet eastward and placed upon a substantial basement. Most of the stained glass windows by which the church is enriched were donated, as was also the main altar. These and other improvements that might be mentioned evidence the generosity and religious earnestness of the congregation, which numbers sixty-five families.

STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS (SLOVAK) CHURCH.

The Catholic Slovaks who began to settle in Youngstown and the vicinity about 1880, and who for a number of years had attended the churches nearest to their homes, called a meeting in 1896 for the purpose of taking steps to organize a separate congregation. A subscription was started, but nothing further was done for several years owing to the fact that the Rt. Rev. Bishop could not send them a pastor conversant with their language. In May, 1899, with the Bishop's approval, the Rev. J. Klute bought two lots for the Slovaks as a church site, at the corner of East Wood and Watt streets for the sum of $5,500. In June of the same year the Rev. A. Kolar was appointed resident pastor of the Slovaks, whom he organized as a congregation under the patronage of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. The foundation of the church-a brick struct- ure of Roman architecture-was commenced in the summer of 1900. Its cost on comple- tion was about $35.000. The parish now has a membership of over 260 familes and is

steadily increasing, as a large number of the foreigners who arrive almost daily are Slovaks .. The present pastor is Rev. J. W. Becka.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

The "Brown Church," as the Methodist Protestant Church in Youngstown has been usually called, was established about 1841, the church building being erected in that year. This religious body is an offshoot from the- Methodist Episcopal Church and dates its. origin to 1828, when an agitation that had been started within that church a few years. previously for a representation of both min- isters and laymen in its law-making depart- ment, culminated, after some persecution of the reformers, in the withdrawal of some 250 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cincinnati. The reformers subsequently withdrew in considerable numbers in other parts of the United States, and at a convention held at Baltimore in 1830 drew up the consti- tution and discipline of the Methodist Protest- ant Church on the principle of constituting the- General and Annual Conferences of an equal number of effective ministers and duly dele- gated laymen, there being neither bishops nor elders.

Philip Kimmel, Abraham Powers, Jonah Stout and Wilson Thorn were the chief found- ers of the church in this city, which began with' about fifty members. Owing to internal dis- sensions, however, the annual attendance was reduced in 1881 to no more than twenty. At that time the Rev. E. W. Brindley, a gradu- ate of Bristol College, Pennsylvania, suc- ceeded to the pulpit, and within a year the congregation had increased to 150, with a Sunday school membership of thirty-four.

The next pastor was the Rev. J. F. Dyer, who served for nine years, being followed by Rev. J. M. Bennett and S. F. Crowther. Rev. J. F. Dyer was then recalled and was pastor again for six years, or until September, 1906, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Glad- den, who now has charge.

Rev. W. H. Gladden has been a member

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of the Pittsburg Conference for more than twenty years, and has been especially success- ful in evangelistic work. He was formerly pastor of the Fifth Street Methodist Protest- ant Church at East Liverpool and received 700 members into that church. During his pastorate at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he was able to double the membership of the church. At Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to which church he was sent in 1892, and where for seven years there had not been even a pastor, he succeeded in building a fine church, which now numbers 300 members, and a sec- ond church of 200 members. He has also held successful revival meetings in nearly all the leading churches of his conference. He hopes to be able to accomplish a good work in the upbuilding of the church in Youngstown, the present membership of which is about one hundred.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

Regular Baptist worship was not instituted in Youngstown until 1860, although there were a number of members of that church liv- ing in the vicinity. In July, 1859, Mrs. Young, an aged lady, succeeded in having a Sunday school organized, and it is probable that the formation of a church was the out- growth of this movement. This school was formed with thirty-seven scholars, in a hall on Federal street.

A meeting of Baptists in regular commun- ion was held in the Protestant Methodist Church June 6, 1860, which resulted in the formation of a church society. W. M. Ingersol was ordained first pastor. He resigned in 1872, and B. F. Ashley succeeded in 1873. C. F. Nicholson was ordained pastor in the fall of 1875, and D. B. Simms, in Oc- tober, 1879.

In June, 1881, Rev. John A. Snodgrass assumed pastoral charge, having come to Youngstown in January of the preceding year. Mr. Snodgrass was born in Noblestown, Pennsylvania, in 1836. At the age of eigh- teen years while a student at Mansfield, Penn- sylvania, he was suddenly thrown upon his

own resources, owing to the business reverses . of his father, and began teaching school. In 1862, with nine other teachers in the Mckees- port school, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and became the first lieutenant. Of his associates who went out with him only four returned. He was mustered out at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1865. After his re- turn he took charge of the union school at Mckeesport. March 29, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva J. Haney, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, who had been his efficient assistant in the various schools of which he had been the head. Soon after his return from the army he began the study of theology and was ordained, Septem- ber 10, 1868, in the Sandusky Street Baptist Church of Allegheny City. As pastor of the First Baptist Church of Youngstown, Mr. Snodgrass added about one hundred names to. the membership and discharged a debt of six thousand dollars.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 48

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074